Unit 1 Flashcards
what are the 4 goals of psychology?
1) DESCRIBE what we observe
2) EXPLAIN what we see
3) PREDICT circumstances that lead to a behaviour
4) CONTROL behaviors and mental processes
what’s the difference between mental processes and behaviours?
mental processes are brain activities that occur while thinking, processing information, and completing actions
behaviours are actions that allows us to make guesses about mental processes
how are mental processes and behaviours related?
mental processes often, but not always, result in behaviours i.e. wanting to diet but doesn’t
behaviours can result in mental processes i.e. tripping leads to embarassment
what are the three levels of analysis?
the brain, the person, and the group
how are the three levels of analysis related?
the brain’s activity can be impacted by personal experiences often resulted from the group’s culture and behaviour
what are hippocrates’ 4 humours?
yellow bile, black bile, blood, phlegm
what did hippocrates believe about imbalance of the 4 humours? what does this resemble in modern day?
he believed imbalance leads to mental illness. this resembles modern day’s understanding of chemical imbalances and conditions like depression.
what is structuralism?
the study of consciousness and DESCRIBING of mental processes
what is introspection?
reflective observation of mental processes and thoughts
why is introspection not always accurate?
people can have different opinions on a person’s mental processes
we are bad at perceiving and understanding ourselves
what is functionalism?
the study of how consciousness functions and serves us in the environment.
how are structuralism and functionalism different?
structuralism requires developed humans as subjects due to the need of introspection.
functionalism can examine animals, children, and those with disorders.
what do gestalt psychologists believe?
consciousness cannot be broken down into elements, and our brains automatically fill in gaps to interpret our environment for survival i.e. we see faces in inanimate objects
what is the psychoanalytic theory?
the theory that mental processes are a result of unconscious forces fighting to become conscious
what is behaviouralism?
manipulating (CONDITIONING) behaviours through reinforcement and punishment
what is the difference between punishment and negative reinforcement?
punishment: introducing an undesirable fator for not completing the desired behaviour i.e. withholding ice cream from a child who won’t eat their dinner
negative reinforcement: an undesirable factor is taken away only UNTIL the desired behaviour is displayed i.e. nagging a child until they eat their dinner
evolutionary psychology
study of how evolution has shaped brain and behaviour
behavioural psychology
study how gene expression and brain development influences behavior
what is humanistic psychology
focuses on unique features of human functioning
includes maslow and rogers
